title: Genetic impact dominates over environmental effects in development of carotid artery stiffness: a twin study.
abstract: Arterial stiffness is an independent predictor of cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and all-cause mortality. Quantifying the genetic influence on the stiff arterial phenotype allows us to better predict the development of arterial stiffness. In this study, we aimed to determine the heritability of carotid artery stiffness in healthy twins. We studied 98 twin pairs of both sexes. We determined carotid artery stiffness locally using echo tracking and applanation tonometry. We estimated the heritability of stiffness parameters using structural equation modeling. The carotid distensibility coefficient showed the highest heritability (64%, 95% confidence interval 45-77%). The incremental elastic modulus, compliance and stiffness index β also showed substantial heritability (62%, 61% and 58%, respectively). The remaining 36-42% phenotypic variance was attributed to unshared environmental effects. Genetic influence appears to dominate over environmental factors in the development of carotid artery stiffness. Environmental factors may have an important role in favorably influencing the genetic predisposition for accelerated arterial stiffening.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Human Physiology and Clinical Experimental Research, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Tamás
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Horváth
authors.affiliation: Medical Department, Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Hospital, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: János
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Osztovits
authors.affiliation: Institute of Human Physiology and Clinical Experimental Research, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pintér
authors.affiliation: Central European University, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Levente
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Littvay
authors.affiliation: Institute of Human Physiology and Clinical Experimental Research, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Domonkos
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cseh
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and Oncotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Adám D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Tárnoki
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and Oncotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Dávid L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Tárnoki
authors.affiliation: Semmelweis University, Faculty of Medicine, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Adám L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Jermendy
authors.affiliation: Semmelweis University, Faculty of Medicine, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Steinbach
authors.affiliation: National Centre for Healthcare Audit and Inspection, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Júlia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Métneki
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, and Unit of Internal Medicine, Terni University Hospital, Terni, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schillaci
authors.affiliation: Institute of Human Physiology and Clinical Experimental Research, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Márk
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kollai
authors.affiliation: Medical Department, Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Hospital, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: György
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jermendy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000886:Anthropometry; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D063177:Pulse Wave Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D014429:Twins, Dizygotic; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic; D014463:Ultrasonography; D059289:Vascular Stiffness / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult